Entry device for communicating signals between an external network and an in-home network

ABSTRACT

An entry device for communicating external network signals between an in-home network and an external network. The entry device includes a signal blocking and communication device in communication with an input port, a first network port, and a second network port. The signal blocking and communication device is configured to transmit the external network signals bidirectionally between the input port and the first network port, block in-home network signals from transmission from the first network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted to the input port, block the in-home network signals from transmission to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted to the input port, and transmit the in-home network signals between the first network port and the second network port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/880,231, filed Jan. 25, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/722,302, filed Oct. 2, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,154,302, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/133,948, filed Apr. 20, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,781,472, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/863,693, filed Apr.16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,051, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,833, filed Feb. 12, 2010, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,429.695, and a continuation-in part of USpatent application Ser. No. 12/255,008, filed Oct. 21, 2008, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,209. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/863,693,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,051, is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/688,420, filed Nov. 29, 2012, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,167,286, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/563,719, filed Sep. 21, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.8,356,322. Each of these applications is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

This invention relates to cable television (CATV) and to in-homeentertainment networks which share existing coaxial cables within thepremises for CATV signal distribution and in-home network communicationsignals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new andimproved passive entry adapter between a CATV network and the in-homenetwork which minimizes the CATV signal strength reduction even whendistributed among multiple subscriber or multimedia devices within thesubscriber's premises or home.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CATV networks use an infrastructure of interconnected coaxial cables,signal splitters and combiners, repeating amplifiers, filters, trunklines, cable taps, drop lines and other signal-conducting devices tosupply and distribute high frequency “downstream” signals from a mainsignal distribution facility, known as a “headend,” to the premises(homes and offices) of subscribers to the CATV services. The downstreamsignals transfer multimedia content to subscriber equipment, such astelevision sets, telephone sets and computers. In addition, most CATVnetworks also transmit “upstream” signals from the subscriber equipmentback to the headend of the CATV network. For example, the subscriberuses a set top box to select programs for display on the television set.As another example, two-way communication is essential when using apersonal computer connected through the CATV infrastructure to thepublic Internet. As a further example, voice over Internet protocol(VoIP) telephone sets use the CATV infrastructure and the publicInternet as the communication medium for transmitting two-way telephoneconversations.

To permit simultaneous communication of upstream and downstream CATVsignals and the interoperability of the subscriber equipment and theequipment associated with the CATV network infrastructure outside ofsubscriber premises, the downstream and upstream CATV signals areconfined to two different frequency bands. The downstream frequency bandis within the range of 54-1002 megahertz (MHz) and the upstreamfrequency band is within the range of 5-42 MHz, in most CATV networks.The entire CATV frequency band is therefore 5-1002 MHz.

The downstream signals are delivered from the CATV networkinfrastructure to the subscriber premises at a CATV entry adapter, whichis also commonly referred to as an entry device, terminal adapter or adrop amplifier. The CATV entry adapter is usually a multi-port devicewhich provides a multiplicity of ports or connectors for connectingcoaxial cables. A separate coaxial cable is connected to each of theports and extends within the subscriber premises to the location of thesubscriber equipment. Some homes have coaxial cables extending to cableoutlets in almost every room, because of the many different types ofsubscriber equipment used in different rooms. For example, televisionsets are commonplace throughout the home. The multiple ports of the CATVentry adapter deliver downstream CATV at each cable outlet and conductupstream CATV signals back through the premises coaxial cables to theCATV entry adapter, which delivers the upstream CATV signals to the CATVnetwork.

In addition to television sets, computers and telephones, a relativelylarge number of other entertainment and multimedia devices are availablefor use in homes. For example, a digital video recorder (DVR) is used tostore broadcast programming, still photography and moving pictures in amemory medium so that the content can be replayed on a display ortelevision set at a later time selected by the user. As another example,computer games are also played at displays or on television sets. Suchcomputer games may be obtained or played over the Internet from the CATVnetwork or from media played on play-back devices or game consolesconnected to displays or television sets. As a further example,receivers which receive satellite-broadcast signals may be distributedfor viewing or listening throughout the home. These types of devices,including the more-conventional television sets, telephone sets anddevices connected to the Internet by the CATV network, are genericallyreferred to as multimedia devices.

The desire to use multimedia devices at multiple different locationswithin the home or subscriber premises has led to the creation of theMultimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). MoCA has developed specificationsfor products to create an in-home entertainment network forinterconnecting presently-known and future multimedia devices. The MoCAin-home network uses the subscriber premise or in-home coaxial cableinfrastructure originally established for distribution of CATV signalswithin the subscriber premises, principally because that cableinfrastructure already exists in most homes and is capable of carryingmuch more information than is carried in the CATV frequency band. A MoCAnetwork is established by connecting MoCA interface devices at the cableoutlets in the rooms of the subscriber premises. The MoCA network isused to transmit multimedia content from one MoCA interface device toanother.

The MoCA interface devices implement a MoCA communication protocol whichencapsulates the multimedia content normally sent and received by themultimedia devices within MoCA packets and then communicates these MoCApackets between selected ones of the other MoCA interfaces devicesconnected at other cable outlets. The receiving MoCA interface deviceremoves the encapsulated multimedia content, and delivers it to theconnected computer, digital television or set-top box or othermultimedia device from which then presents that multimedia content.

Each MoCA interface device is capable of communicating with every otherMoCA interface device in the MoCA network to deliver the multimediacontent throughout the home or subscriber premises. The entertainment ormultimedia content that is available from one multimedia device can bedisplayed, played or otherwise used at a different location within thehome, without having to physically relocate the multimedia device fromone location to another within the home. The in-home networkcommunication of multimedia content is considered beneficial in morefully utilizing the multimedia devices present in modern homes. The MoCAinterface devices also pass the upstream and downstream CATV signalsbetween the CATV entry adapter and the subscriber devices.

Since the MoCA network may function simultaneously with the normaloperation of the CATV services, the MoCA signals communicated betweenMoCA interface devices utilize a frequency range of 1125-1525 MHz, whichis outside of the frequency band of CATV signals. This so-called band ofMoCA signals is divided into eight different frequency ranges, D1-D8,and these eight different D frequency ranges are used to assurecommunication between the selected MoCA interface devices. For example,the D-1 band at 1125-1175 MHz may be used to communicate CATV televisionprogramming content between a MoCA interface device connected to aset-top box in a main room of the house and another MoCA interfacedevice connected to a television set in bedroom of the house, while aMoCA interface device connected to a computer gaming multimedia devicein a basement room of the house simultaneously communicates computergame content over the D-6 band at 1375-1425 MHz to a computer located ina recreation room of the house. The MoCA frequency band also includesother frequency ranges outside of the CATV frequency band, but the Dband is used to establish connections and communicate content betweenthe MoCA interface devices.

Using the in-home coaxial cable as the principal communication mediumsubstantially simplifies the implementation of the MoCA network, butthere are certain disadvantages in doing so. The D band MoCA frequencieshave the capability of passing through the CATV entry adapter andentering the CATV network where they may then enter a nearbysubscriber's premises. The presence of the MoCA signals at the nearbysubscriber's premises compromises the privacy and security of theinformation originally intended to be confined within the originalsubscriber premises. The MoCA signals from the original subscriberpremises which enter through the CATV network to the nearby subscriberpremises also have the potential to adversely affect the performance ofa MoCA network in nearby subscriber's premises. The conflict of the MoCAsignals from the original and nearby subscriber premises may cause theMoCA interface devices to malfunction or not operate properly on aconsistent basis.

Another undesirable aspect of using a MoCA for communication between thevarious multimedia devices is that a relatively large MoCA network withmany cable outlet ports has the effect of deteriorating the strength ofthe downstream CATV signal. Because in-home multimedia devicesfrequently require access to the CATV network in order to send upstreamCATV signals as well is to receive downstream CATV signals, the in-homecoaxial cable infrastructure must commonly connect all of the CATVcables and CATV ports within the home to a common connection with thedrop cable that supplies the CATV signal and services to the home. Thecommon connection is usually achieved in the CATV entry adapter, whichprovides output ports that connect to the coaxial cables extendingwithin the home to each separate location or room. A splitter within theCATV entry adapter divides the CATV downstream signals into two or morereduced-power copies of the input signal, and supplies each copy to aseparate outlet port.

Similarly, upstream signals from the subscriber equipment connected toeach of the coaxial cables are combined in the splitter and then passedupstream through the CATV entry adapter into the CATV network.

The typical splitter is passive, which means that the power of the inputsignal is divided among the copies of the output signals split from theinput signal. Each copy of the signal therefore has diminished power orstrength, and the lower strength copies will not have the same qualityas the input signal. In general terms, the quality is the strength ofthe signal relative to the strength of the inherent ambient noise. Sincethe inherent ambient noise generally cannot be diminished and is usuallya constant, lowering the strength of the signal relative to the noisereduces the signal-to-noise ratio. The signal-to-noise ratio is arecognized measure of the quality of a signal. A lower signal-to-noiseratio represents a lesser quality signal.

Because many homes require a relatively large number of cable outletports, for example six or more, the downstream CATV signal must be splitinto a comparable relatively large number of copies. The greater numberof signal splitters required to generate the requisite number ofseparate copies of the downstream CATV signal diminishes the strength ofthe downstream signal copies. The quality of CATV service available inan in-home network with a relatively large number of cable output portstherefore suffers, because the strength of the CATV signal available ateach of these ports is substantially diminished due to the extent ofsignal splitting required.

On the other hand, Upstream CATV signals from the subscriber equipmentdo not occur as frequently as downstream CATV signals. Furthermore,upstream signals are generally of a higher power because they aregenerated immediately by the subscriber equipment within the home.Consequently, the reduction in CATV signal strength applies principallyto downstream CATV signals, which of course provide the multimediacontent to the subscriber. It is the quality of the multimedia contentobserved by the subscriber that forms the basis for the subscriber'sopinion of quality of service.

To compensate for downstream CATV signal strength reduction caused bysplitting, some entry adapters include amplifiers to increase thestrength of the copies of the downstream CATV signals. Of course,including an amplifier along with the signal splitter makes the signaltransmission dependent upon the presence of adequate electrical power tooperate the amplifier. The power for the amplifier is derived fromcommercial sources within the household. If the commercial power supplyis temporarily interrupted, or if the power supply equipment within thehome ceases operating properly, the customer perceives a CATV problemand reports the problem to the CATV service provider. The CATV serviceprovider must thereafter send a service or repair person to the home ofthe subscriber in order to identify and remedy the problem. Such servicecalls are a significant expense for a CATV service provider. CATVservice providers therefore attempt to eliminate as many of thepotential points of failure as possible in the equipment supplied by theCATV service provider, to reduce service calls and repair costs.Including an amplifier in a CATV entry adapter creates a potential pointof failure, and for that reason most CATV service providers wish toavoid using CATV entry adapters with amplifiers. However, in thoserelatively large in-home networks with multiple outlets for connectingmultiple multimedia devices, there has been little previous choice butto use amplifiers in conjunction with splitters in order to obtain thedesired downstream CATV signal strength that represents a high qualityof service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An entry device for communicating external network signals between anin-home network and an external network, for communicating in-homenetwork signals within the in-home network, and for preventing thein-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home networkto the external network is disclosed. The entry device includes an inputport configured to communicate the external network signals with theexternal network, a first network port configured to be coupled to aserver network interface of the in-home network, a plurality of secondnetwork ports each configured to be coupled to a client networkinterface of the in-home network, and a first splitter electricallyconnected the input port and having a first leg and a second leg. Thefirst network port is in communication with the second leg. The entrydevice also includes a second splitter in communication with the firstleg of the first splitter, and having a plurality of output legs eachbeing electrically connected to respective second network ports of theplurality of second network ports, and a signal blocking andcommunication device in communication with the first splitter, thesecond splitter, the first network port, and the plurality of secondnetwork ports. The signal blocking and communication device isconfigured to block the in-home network signals from transmission fromthe first network port to the input port, while allowing the externalnetwork signals to be transmitted from the first network port to theinput port, by blocking substantially all signals having a frequencyabove a cutoff frequency from reaching the input port from the firstnetwork port, and allowing substantially all signals having a frequencybelow the cutoff frequency to reach the input port from the firstnetwork port. The in-home network signals all have a frequency above thecutoff frequency, and the external network signals all have a frequencybelow the cutoff frequency. The signal blocking and communication deviceis also configured to block the in-home network signals fromtransmission from the plurality of second network ports to the inputport, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted fromthe plurality of second network ports to the input port, by blockingsubstantially all signals having a frequency above the cutoff frequencyfrom reaching the input port from the plurality of second network ports,and allowing substantially all signals having a frequency below thecutoff frequency to reach the input port from the plurality of secondnetwork ports. The signal blocking and communication device is furtherconfigured to transmit only the in-home network signals between thefirst network port and the plurality of second network ports withoutrouting the in-home network signals through the first splitter based onthe in-home network signals all having a frequency that is above thecutoff frequency. The external network signals include cable televisionsignals that all have a frequency of between about 5 MHz and about 1002MHz, and the in-home network signals comprise Multimedia Over CoaxialAlliance signals that all have a frequency of between about 1125 MHz andabout 1675 MHz.

An entry device for communicating external network signals between anin-home network and an external network, for communicating in-homenetwork signals within the in-home network, and for preventing thein-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home networkto the external network is also disclosed. The entry device includes aninput port configured to communicate the external network signals withthe external network, a first network port configured to be coupled to aserver network interface of the in-home network, a second network portconfigured to be coupled to server network interface of the in-homenetwork, and a signal blocking and communication device in communicationwith the input port, the first network port, and the second networkport. The signal blocking and communication device is configured totransmit the external network signals bidirectionally between the inputport and the first network port, block the in-home network signals fromtransmission from the first network port to the input port, whileallowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the firstnetwork port to the input port, block the in-home network signals fromtransmission from the second network port to the input port, whileallowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the secondnetwork port to the input port, and transmit the in-home network signalsbetween the first network port and the second network port.

An entry device for communicating external network signals between anin-home network and an external network, for communicating in-homenetwork signals within the in-home network, and for preventing thein-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home networkto the external network is further disclosed. The entry device includesinput port means for communicating the external network signals with theexternal network, first network port means for communicating with aserver network interface of the in-home network, second network portmeans for communicating with a client network interface, first splittermeans for splitting the external network signal received from the inputport means into a first signal and a second signal, wherein the firstnetwork port means receive the first signal, second splitter means forreceiving the second signal, splitting the second signal into aplurality of signals and transmitting the plurality of signals to thesecond network port means, and for communicating in-home network signalsbetween the second network port means, and signal blocking andcommunication means for transmitting the external network signalsbidirectionally between the input port means and the first network portmeans, blocking the in-home network signals from transmission from thefirst network port means to the input port means, while allowing theexternal network signals to be transmitted from the first network portmeans to the input port means, blocking the in-home network signals fromtransmission from the second network port means to the input port means,while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from thesecond network port means to the input port means, and transmitting thein-home network signals between the first network port means and thesecond network port means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a typical CATV networkinfrastructure, including a plurality of CATV entry adapters whichincorporate the present invention, and also illustrating an in-homenetwork using a CATV entry adapter for connecting multimedia devices orother subscriber equipment within the subscriber premises.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of the in-home network in onesubscriber premises shown in FIG. 1, with more details of networkinterfaces and subscriber equipment shown in block diagram form.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components of one embodiment of one CATVentry adapter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, also showing subscriber andnetwork interfaces in block diagram form.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components of an alternative embodiment ofthe CATV entry adapter shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components of another embodiment of oneCATV entry adapter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, constituting an alternativeembodiment of the CATV entry adapter shown in FIG. 3, also showingsubscriber and network interfaces in block diagram form.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of components of an alternative embodiment ofthe CATV entry adapter shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of another embodiment of oneCATV entry adapter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, constituting an alternativeembodiment of the CATV entry adapters shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, alsoshowing subscriber and network interfaces in block diagram form.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of components of an alternative embodiment ofthe CATV entry adapter shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A CATV entry adapter 10 which incorporates the present invention isshown generally in FIG. 1. The CATV entry adapter 10 is located atsubscriber premises 12 and forms a part of a conventional in-homenetwork 14, such as a conventional Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)in-home entertainment network. The in-home network 14 interconnectssubscriber equipment or multimedia devices 16 within the subscriberpremises 12, and allows the multimedia devices 16 to communicatemultimedia content or in-home signals between other multimedia devices16. The connection medium of the in-home network 14 is formed insignificant part by a preexisting CATV coaxial cable infrastructure(represented generally by coaxial cables 18) present in the subscriberpremises 12 and originally intended to communicate CATV signals betweenthe multimedia or subscriber devices 16. However, the connection mediumof the in-home network 14 may be intentionally created usingnewly-installed coaxial cables 18. Examples of multimedia devices 16 aredigital video recorders, computers, data modems, computer game playingdevices, television sets, television set-top boxes, and other audio andvisual entertainment devices.

The CATV entry adapter 10 is also a part of a conventional CATV network20. The CATV entry adapter 10 delivers CATV multimedia content orsignals from the CATV network 20 to subscriber equipment at thesubscriber premises 12. The subscriber equipment includes the multimediadevices 16, but may also include other devices which may or may notoperate as a part of the in-home network 14 but which are intended tofunction as a result of connection to the CATV network 20. Examples ofsubscriber equipment which may not be part of the in-home network 14 area modem 56 and a connected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephoneset 58 and certain other embedded multimedia terminal adapter-(eMTA)compatible devices (not shown).

The CATV entry adapter 10 has beneficial characteristics which allow itto function simultaneously in both the in-home network 14 and in theCATV network 20, thereby benefiting both the in-home network 14 and theCATV network 20. The CATV entry adapter 10 functions as a hub in thein-home network 14, to effectively transfer in-home network signalsbetween the multimedia and subscriber devices 16. The CATV entry adapter10 also functions in a conventional role as an CATV interface betweenthe CATV network 20 and the subscriber equipment 16 located at thesubscriber premises 12, thereby providing CATV service to thesubscriber. In addition, the CATV entry adapter 10 securely confinesin-home network communications within each subscriber premise andprevents the network signals from entering the CATV network 20 anddegrading the strength of the CATV signals conducted by the CATV network20 four possible recognition by a nearby subscriber.

The CATV network 20 has a typical topology. Downstream signals 22originate from programming sources at a headend 24 of the CATV network20, and are conducted to the CATV entry adapter 10 in a sequential paththrough a main trunk cable 26, a signal splitter/combiner 28, secondarytrunk cables 30, another signal splitter/combiner 32, distribution cablebranches 34, cable taps 36, and drop cables 38. Upstream signals 40originating from the subscriber equipment 16 and 56/58 are deliveredfrom the CATV entry adapter 10 to the CATV network 20, and are conductedto the headend 24 in the same path but in reverse sequence. Interspersedat appropriate locations within the topology of the CATV network 20 areconventional repeater amplifiers 42, which amplify both the downstreamCATV signals 22 and the upstream CATV signals 40. Conventional repeateramplifiers may also be included in the cable taps 36. The cable taps 36and signal splitter/combiners 28 and 32 divide a single downstreamsignal into multiple separate downstream signals, and combine multipleupstream signals into a single upstream signal.

More details concerning the CATV entry adapter 10 are shown in FIG. 2.The CATV entry adapter 10 includes a housing 44 which encloses internalelectronic circuit components (shown in FIGS. 3-8). A mounting flange 46surrounds the housing 44, and holes 48 in the flange 46 allow attachmentof the CATV entry adapter 10 to a support structure at a subscriberpremises 12 (FIG. 1).

The CATV entry adapter 10 connects to the CATV network 20 through a CATVconnection or entry port 50. The CATV entry adapter 10 receives thedownstream signals 22 from, and sends the upstream signals 40 to, theCATV network 20 through the connection port 50. The downstream andupstream signals 22 and 40 are communicated to and from the subscriberequipment through an embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) port 52and through in-home network ports 54. A conventional modem 56 isconnected between a conventional voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)telephone set 58 and the eMTA port 52. The modem 56 converts downstreamCATV signals 22 containing data for the telephone set 58 into signals 60usable by the telephone set 58 in accordance with the VoIP protocol.Similarly, the modem 56 converts the VoIP protocol signals 60 from thetelephone set 58 into Upstream CATV signals 40 which are sent throughthe eMTA port 52 and the CATV entry port 50 to the CATV network 20.

Coaxial cables 18 within the subscriber premises 12 (FIG. 1) connect thein-home network ports 54 to coaxial outlets 62. The in-home network 14uses a new or existing coaxial cable infrastructure in the subscriberpremises 12 (FIG. 1) to locate the coaxial outlets 62 in different roomsor locations within the subscriber premises 12 (FIG. 1) and to establishthe communication medium for the in-home network 14.

In-home network interface devices 64 and 66 are connected to or made apart of the coaxial outlets 62. The devices 64 and 66 send in-homenetwork signals 78 between one another through the coaxial outlets 62,coaxial cables 18, the network ports 54 and the CATV entry adapter 10.The CATV entry adapter 10 internally connects the network ports 54 totransfer the network signals 78 between the ports 54, as shown anddiscussed below in connection with FIGS. 3-8.

Subscriber or multimedia devices 16 are connected to the in-home networkinterfaces 64 and 66. In-home network signals 78 originating from asubscriber devices 16 connected to one of the network interfaces 64 or66 are delivered through the in-home network 14 to the interface 64 or66 of the recipient subscriber device 16. The network interfaces 64 and66 perform the typical functions of buffering information, typically indigital form as packets, and delivering and receiving the packets overthe in-home network 14 in accordance with the communication protocolused by the in-home network, for example the MoCA protocol. Although theinformation is typically in digital form, it is communication over thein-home network 14 is typically as analog signals in predeterminedfrequency bands, such as the D-band frequencies used in the MoCAcommunication protocol. The combination of one of the in-home networkinterfaces 64 or 66 and the connected subscriber device 16 constitutesone node of the in-home network 14.

The present invention takes advantage of typical server-clienttechnology and incorporates it within the in-home network interfaces 64and 66. The in-home network interface 64 is a server network interface,while the in-home network interfaces 66 are client network interfaces.Only one server network interface 64 is present in the in-home network14, while multiple client network interfaces 66 are typically present inthe in-home network 14.

The server network interface 64 receives downstream CATV signals 22 andin-home network signals 68 originating from other client networkinterfaces 66 connected to subscriber devices 16, extracts theinformation content carried by the downstream CATV signals 22 and thenetwork signals 78, and stores the information content in digital formon a memory device (not shown) included within the server networkinterface 64. With respect to downstream CATV signals 22, the servernetwork interface 64 communicates the extracted and stored informationto the subscriber device 16 to which that information is destined. Thusthe server interface 64 delivers the information derived from thedownstream CATV signal 22 to the subscriber device connected to it, orover the in-home network 14 to the client interface 66 connected to thesubscriber device 16 to which the downstream CATV signal 22 is destined.The recipient client network interface 66 extracts the information anddelivers it to the destined subscriber device connected to that clientnetwork interface 66. For network signals 78 originating in one networkinterface 64 or 66 and destined to another network interlace 64 or 66,those signals are sent directly between the originating and recipientnetwork interfaces 64 or 66, utilizing the communication protocol of thein-home network.

For those signals originating in one of the subscriber devices 16intended as an upstream CATV signal 40 within the CATV network 20, forexample a programming content selection signal originating from aset-top box of a television set, the upstream CATV signal iscommunicated into the CATV network 20 by the in-home server networkinterface 64, or is alternatively communicated by the network interface64 or 66 which is connected to the particular subscriber device 16. Insome implementations of the present invention, if the upstream CATVsignal originates from a subscriber device 16 connected to a clientnetwork interface 66, that client network interface 66 encodes theupstream CATV signal, and sends the encoded signal over the in-homenetwork 14 to the server network interface 64; thereafter, the servernetwork interface 64 communicates the upstream CATV signal through theCATV entry adapter 10 to the CATV network 20. If the upstream signaloriginates from the subscriber device connected to the server networkinterface 64, that interface 64 directly communicates the upstreamsignal through the entry adapter 10 to the CATV network 20.

The advantage of using the server network interface 64 to receive themultimedia content from the downstream CATV signals 22 and thendistribute that content in network signals 78 to the client networkinterfaces 66 for use by the destination subscriber devices 16, is thatthere is not a substantial degradation in the signal strength of thedownstream CATV signal, as would be the case if the downstream CATVsignal was split into multiple reduced-power copies and each copydelivered to each subscriber device 16. By splitting downstream CATVsignals 22 only a few times, as compared to a relatively large number oftimes as would be required in a typical in-home network, good CATVsignal strength is achieved at the server network interface 64.Multimedia content or other information in downstream CATV signals 22that are destined for subscriber devices 16 connected to client networkinterfaces 66 is supplied by the server network interface 64 in networksignals 78 which have sufficient strength to ensure good quality ofservice. Upstream CATV signals generated by the server and clientinterfaces 64 and 66 are of adequate signal strength since theoriginating interfaces are capable of delivering signals of adequatesignal strength for transmission to the CATV network 20.

Different embodiments 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e and 10 f of the CATVentry adapter 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are described below in conjunction withFIGS. 3-8, respectively. The CATV entry adapters 10 a, 10 c and 10 eshown respectively in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 are similar to the correspondingCATV entry adapters 10 b, 10 d and 10 f shown respectively in FIGS. 4, 6and 8, except for the lack of a dedicated eMTA port 52 and supportingcomponents. In some cases, the eMTA port 52 will not be required ordesired.

In the CATV entry adapter 10 a shown in FIG. 3, the entry port 50 isconnected to the CATV network 20. An in-home network frequency bandrejection filter 70 is connected between the entry port 50 and an inputterminal 72 of a conventional four-way splitter 74. Four outputterminals 76 of the four-way splitter 74 are connected to the in-homenetwork ports 54. Downstream and upstream CATV signals 22 and 40 passthrough the filter 70, because the filter 70 only rejects signals withfrequencies which are in the in-home network frequency band. Thefrequency band specific to the in-home network 14 is different from thefrequency band of the CATV signals 22 and 40.

Downstream and upstream CATV signals 22 and 40 also pass in bothdirections through the four-way splitter 74, because the splitter 74carries signals of all frequencies. The four-way splitter 74, althoughproviding a large degree of isolation between the signals at the outputterminals 76, still permits in-home network signals 78 to pass betweenthose output terminals 76. Thus, the four-way splitter 74 splitsdownstream CATV signals 22 into four copies and delivers the copies tothe output terminals 76 connected to the network ports 54, conductsupstream CATV signals 40 from the ports 54 and output terminals 76 tothe input terminal 72. The four-way splitter 74 also conducts in-homenetwork signals 78 from one of the output terminals 76 to the otheroutput terminals 76, thereby assuring that all of the network interfaces64 and 66 are able to communicate with one another using the in-homenetwork communication protocol.

One server network interface 64 is connected to one of the ports 54,while one or more client network interfaces 66 is connected to one ormore of the remaining ports 54. Subscriber or multimedia devices 16 areconnected to each of the network interfaces 64 and 66. The upstream anddownstream CATV signals 40 and 22 pass through the splitter 74 to theinterface devices 64 and 66 without modification. Those CATV signals aredelivered from the interface devices 64 and 66 to the subscriberequipment 16. The network signals 78 pass to and from the interfacedevices 64 and 66 through the output terminals 76 of the splitter 74.The network signals 78 are received and sent by the interface devices 64and 66 in accordance with the communication protocol used by the in-homenetwork 14.

The rejection filter 70 blocks the in-home network signals 78 fromreaching the CATV network 20, and thereby confines the network signals78 to the subscriber equipment 16 within the subscribers premises.Preventing the network signals 78 from entering the CATV network 20ensures the privacy of the information contained with the networksignals 78 and keeps the network signals 78 from creating any adverseaffect on the CATV network 20.

The CATV entry adapter 10 a allows each of the subscriber devices 16 todirectly receive CATV information and signals from the CATV network 20(FIG. 1). Because the server network interface 64 may store multimediacontent received from the CATV network 20, the subscriber devices 16connected to the client network interfaces 66 may also request theserver network interface 64 to store and supply that stored content at alater time. The client network interfaces 66 and the attached subscriberdevices 16 request and receive the stored multimedia content from theserver network interface 64 over the in-home network 14. In thisfashion, the subscriber may choose when to view the stored CATV-obtainedmultimedia content without having to view that content at the specifictime when it was available from the CATV network 20. The in-home network14 at the subscriber premises 12 permits this flexibility.

The CATV entry adapter 10 b shown in FIG. 4 contains the same componentsdescribed above for the adapter 10 a (FIG. 3), and additionally includesan eMTA port 52 and a conventional two-way splitter 80. The modem 56 andVoIP telephone set 58 are connected to the eMTA port 52, for example. Aninput terminal 82 of the two-way splitter 80 connects to the in-homenetwork rejection filter 70. Output terminals 84 and 85 of the two-waysplitter 80 connect to the eMTA port 52 and to the input terminal 72 ofthe four-way splitter 74, respectively.

The downstream CATV signals 22 entering the two-way splitter are splitinto two reduced-power copies and delivered to the output ports 84 and85. The split copies of the downstream CATV signals 22 are approximatelyhalf of the signal strength of the downstream CATV signal 22 deliveredfrom the CATV network 20 to the entry port 50. Consequently, the copy ofthe downstream CATV signal 22 supplied to the eMTA port 52 has arelatively high signal strength, which assures good operation of themodem 56 and VoIP telephone set 58. Adequate operation of the modem 56in the telephone set 58 is particularly important in those circumstanceswhere “life-line” telephone services are provided to the subscriber,because a good quality signal assures continued adequate operation ofthose services. In the situation where the downstream CATV signal 22 issplit multiple times before being delivered to a modem or VoIP telephoneset, the multiple split may so substantially reduce the power of thedownstream CATV signal 22 supplied to the modem and VoIP telephone setthat the ability to communicate is substantially compromised.

A benefit of the adapter 10 b over the adapter 10 a (FIG. 3) is thesingle, two-way split of the downstream CATV signal 22 and the deliveryof one of those copies at a relatively high or good signal strength tothe dedicated eMTA port 52. A disadvantage of the adapter 10 b over theadapter 10 a (FIG. 4) is that the downstream CATV signals 22 passthrough an extra splitter (the two-way splitter 80) prior to reachingthe subscriber devices 16, thereby diminishing the quality of thedownstream signal 22 applied from the network ports 54 to the subscriberdevices 16. The downstream CATV signals 22 utilized by the subscriberdevices 16 are diminished in strength, because the four-way split fromthe splitter 74 substantially reduces the already-reduced power, thusreducing the amount of signal strength received by the subscriberdevices 16. However, the functionality of the subscriber devices 16 isnot as critical or important as the functionality of the modem 56 andtelephone 58 or other subscriber equipment connected to the eMTA port52.

Upstream CATV signals 40 from the subscriber devices 16 and the voicemodem 56 are combined by the splitters 74 and 80 and then sent to theCATV network 20 through the in-home network frequency band rejectionfilter 70, without substantial reduction in signal strength due to therelatively high strength of those upstream CATV signals 40 supplied bythe network interfaces 64 and 66 and the modem 56 or other subscriberequipment 16.

The embodiment of the CATV entry adapter 10 c shown in FIG. 5 eliminatesthe need for the in-home network frequency band rejection filter 70(FIGS. 3 and 4), while preserving the ability to block the in-homenetwork frequency band signals 78 from entering the CATV network 20 andwhile assuring that a relatively high strength downstream CATV signal 22will be present for delivery to subscriber equipment at one or morenetwork ports. To do so, the CATV entry adapter 10 c uses twoconventional diplexers 92 and 94 in conjunction with the splitter 74 and80. In general, the function of a conventional diplexer is to separatesignals received at a common terminal into signals within a highfrequency range and within a low frequency range, and to deliver signalsin the high and low frequency ranges separately from high and low passterminals. Conversely, the conventional diplexer will combine separatehigh frequency and low frequency signals received separately at the highand low frequency terminals into a single signal which has both highfrequency and low frequency content and supply that single signal ofcombined frequency content at the common terminal.

In the following discussion of the CATV entry adapters which utilizediplexers, the predetermined low frequency range is the CATV signalfrequency range which encompasses both the upstream and downstream CATVsignals 22 and 40 (i.e., 5-1002 MHz), and the predetermined highfrequency range is the frequency of the in-home network signals 78. Whenin-home network 14 is implemented by use of MoCA devices and protocol,the in-home frequency band is greater than the frequency band employedfor CATV signals (i.e., 1125-1525 MHz). If the in-home network 14 isimplemented using other networking technology, the network signals 78must be in a frequency band which is separate from the frequency band ofthe upstream and downstream CATV signals. In such a circumstance, thehigh and low frequency ranges of the diplexers used in theherein-described CATV entry adapters must be selected to separate theCATV signal frequency band from the in-home network signal frequencyband.

The entry port 50 connects the adapter 10 c to the CATV network 20. Atwo-way splitter 80 has an input terminal 82 which is connected directlyto the entry port 50. The two-way splitter 80 splits the downstream CATVsignals 22 at the input terminal 82 into two identical copies of reducedsignal strength and conducts those copies through the two outputterminals 84 and 85. The split copy of the downstream CATV signal 22supplied by the output terminal 84 is conducted to a principal networkport 54 p of the entry adapter 10 c. The network port 54 p is regardedas a principal network port because the server network interface 64 isconnected to that port 54 p. A subscriber devices 16 may or may not beconnected to the server network interface 64.

The two output terminals 84 and 85 of the splitter 80 are respectivelyconnected to low-pass terminals 88 and 90 of conventional diplexers 92and 94. The low pass terminals 88 and 90 of the diplexers 92 and 94receive and deliver signals which have a predetermined low frequencyrange. High pass terminals 104 and 106 of the diplexers 92 and 94receive and deliver signals which have a predetermined high frequencyrange. Common terminals 96 and 98 of the diplexers 92 and 94 receive anddeliver signals that have both predetermined high and predetermined lowfrequency ranges.

The common terminal 98 of the diplexer 94 is connected to the inputterminal 72 of the four-way splitter 74. The output terminals 76 of thefour-way splitter 74 are connected to the in-home network ports 54 (FIG.2) which are designated as secondary ports 54 s. Client networkinterfaces 66 are connected to the secondary ports 54 s. Subscriberdevices 16 are connected to the client interfaces 66. The network ports54 s to which the client network interfaces 66 are connected aredesignated as secondary network ports because the server networkinterface 64 is connected to the principal network port 54 p.

The high-pass terminals 104 and 106 of the diplexers 92 and 94 areconnected to each other. As a consequence, the higher frequency band ofthe network signals 78 are conducted by the diplexers 92 and 94 throughtheir high pass terminals 104 and 106 and between their common terminals96 and 98. In this manner, the network signals 78 are confined fortransmission only between the network interfaces 64 and 66, through thediplexers 92 and 94 and the four-way splitter 74.

The diplexers 92 and 94 also conduct the lower frequency band CATVsignals 22 and 40 from their common terminals 96 and 98 through theirlow-pass terminals 88 and 90 to the principal port 54 p and to the inputterminal 72 of the four-way splitter 74. The four-way splitter 74conducts the lower frequency band CATV signals 22 and 40 to thesecondary ports 54 s. The CATV signals 22 and 40 are available to all ofthe network interfaces 64 and 66 and to the subscriber equipment 16connected to those network interfaces 64 and 66. In this manner, theCATV signals 22 and 40 and the network signals 78 are both madeavailable to each of the network interfaces 64 and 66 so that each ofthe subscriber devices 16 has the capability of interacting with boththe CATV signals and the network signals. The frequency band separationcharacteristics of the diplexers 92 and 94 perform the function ofpreventing the high frequency network signals 78 from reaching the CATVnetwork 20.

Another advantage of the CATV entry adapter 10 c is that the downstreamCATV signals 22 are applied to the server network interface 64 and itsattached subscriber device 16 with only the relatively small reductionin signal strength caused by splitting the downstream CATV signal 22 inthe two-way splitter 80. This contrasts with the substantially greaterreduction in signal strength created by passing the downstream CATVsignal 22 through the four-way splitter 74 in the entry adapters 10 aand 10 b (FIGS. 3 and 4) to reach the subscriber devices 16. Minimizingthe amount of signal power reduction experienced by the downstream CATVsignal 22 received by the server network interface 64 preserves a highquality of the multimedia content contained in the downstream CATVsignal 22. Consequently, the server network interface 64 receives highquality, good strength downstream CATV signals, which the server networkinterface 64 uses to supply high quality of service by sending thatcontent in network signals 78 to the client network interfaces 66connected to other subscriber devices. In this manner, the CATV entryadapter 10 c may be used to replace the downstream CATV signals directlyapplied to the client network interfaces with the network signalscontaining the same content.

Another advantage of the CATV entry adapter 10 c is that the servernetwork interface 64 can store the multimedia content obtained from thedownstream CATV signal supplied to it. A subscriber may wish to accessand view or otherwise use that stored multimedia content at a latertime. The stored multimedia content is delivered in high quality networksignals 78 to the client network interfaces 66 over the in-home network14. Because of the capability of the server network interface 64 tosupply high quality network signals, the reduction in signal strengthcreated by the four-way splitter 74 does not significantly impact thequality of the network signals received by the client network interfaces66. Thus, the CATV entry adapter 10 c offers a subscriber theopportunity to utilize directly those CATV signal copies which passthrough the four-way splitter 74, or to achieve a higher quality signalwhen the server network interface 64 converts the content from thedownstream CATV signal into network signals 78 which are then madeavailable as high-quality network signals for the client networkinterfaces 66.

Storing the multimedia content obtained from the downstream CATV signals22 in the storage medium of the server network interface 64 provides anopportunity for one or more of the client network interfaces 66 toaccess that stored content and request its transmission over the in-homenetwork 14 to the subscriber devices 16 connected to the requestingclient network interface 66. Because the multimedia content has beenstored by the server network interface 64, the client network interfaces66 may request and receive that multimedia content at any subsequenttime while that content remains stored on the server network interface64.

The CATV entry adapter 10 d shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the CATV entryadapter 10 c (FIG. 5) except that the adapter 10 d allows a modem 56 andVoIP telephone set 58 to be connected in a dedicated manner that doesnot involve use of the in-home network 14. If a modem and VoIP telephoneset are connected to the CATV entry adapter 10 c (FIG. 5), the modem andVoIP telephone set would be connected as subscriber equipment to theserver network interface 64 in that entry adapter 10 c. In thiscircumstance, the proper functionality of the modem and VoIP telephoneset depends on proper functionality of the server network interface 64,and that functionality is susceptible to failure due to power outagesand the like.

In the CATV entry adapter 10 d shown in FIG. 6, a three-way splitter 110is used to divide the downstream CATV signal 22 into three reduced-poweridentical copies. The three-way splitter has a single input terminal 112and three output terminals 114, 116 and 118. The input terminal 112 isconnected to the entry port 50, and two of the output terminals 114 and116 are connected to the low pass terminals 88 and 90 of the diplexers92 and 94. A third output terminal 118 is connected to the eMTA port 52.Although the signal strength of the CATV signal 22 is diminished as aresult of the three-way split in the splitter 110, there will besufficient strength in the copy supplied to the EMTA port 52 from theoutput terminal 118 to permit the modem 56 and VoIP telephone set 58 tooperate reliably. Upstream signals from the modem 56 and the VoIPtelephone set 58 pass through the three-way splitter 110 into the CATVnetwork 20.

The advantage to the CATV entry adapter 10 d is that the functionalityof the modem 56 and the VoIP telephone set 58 does not depend on thefunctionality of the network interfaces 64 and 66. Thus any adversitywhich occurs within the in-home network 14 does not adversely influencethe capability of the modem 56 and the VoIP telephone to providecontinuous telephone service to the subscriber. Continuous telephoneservice is important when the service is “life-line” telephone service.Other communication with respect to downstream and upstream CATV signals22 and 40 and network signals 78 occur in the manner discussed above inconjunction with the adapter 10 c (FIG. 5).

The CATV entry adapter 10 e, shown in FIG. 7, is distinguished from thepreviously discussed CATV entry adapters 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d(FIGS. 3-6) by conducting only the CATV signals 22 and 40 between theentry port 50 and the principal port 54 p to which the server networkinterface 64 is connected. In the CATV entry adapter 10 e, the entryport 50 is connected to the low pass terminal 88 of the diplexer 92. Thecommon terminal 96 of the diplexer 92 is connected to the principal port54 p. The high pass terminal 104 of the diplexer 92 is connected to theinput terminal 72 of the four-way splitter 74. Output terminals 76 ofthe four-way splitter 74 are connected to the secondary ports 54 s. Theprincipal and secondary ports 54 p and 54 s are connected to the serverand client network interfaces 64 and 66.

In the CATV entry adapter 10 e, the downstream CATV signals 22 are notconducted to the client network interfaces 66. Similarly, the upstreamCATV signals 22 are not conducted from the client network interfaces 66to the entry port 50. Instead, all CATV signals 22 and 40 are conductedthrough the low pass terminal 88 of the diplexer 92. The server networkinterface 64 converts the multimedia content from the downstream CATVsignals 22 into network signals 78 to the client network interfaces 66,and all of the information constituting upstream CATV signals 40 iscommunicated as network signals 78 from the client network interfaces 66to the server network interface 64. The server network interface 64converts the information into upstream CATV signals 40 and delivers themto the common terminal 96 of the diplexer 92.

A subscriber device connected to a client network interface 66 thatwishes to request content from the CATV network 20 sends a signal overthe in-home network 14 to the server network interface 64, and theserver network interface 64 sends the appropriate upstream CATV signal40 to the CATV network 20. The CATV network 20 responds by sendingdownstream CATV signals 22, which are directed through the diplexer 92only to the server network interface 64. Multimedia content obtainedfrom the downstream CATV signals 22 is received and stored by the servernetwork interface 64. The storage of the multimedia content on theserver network interface 64 may be for a prolonged amount of time, orthe storage may be only momentary. The server network interface 64processes the content of the downstream CATV signals 22 into networksignals 78 and delivers those signals over the in-home network 14 to therequesting client network interface 66 for use by its attachedsubscriber device 16. Even though the network signals 78 sent by theserver network interface 64 pass through the four-way splitter 74, thestrength of the signals supplied by the server network interface 64 issufficient to maintain good signal strength of the network signals 78when received by the client network interfaces 66.

The advantage of the CATV entry adapter 10 e over the other adapters 10a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d (FIGS. 3-6) is that the downstream CATV signal 22reaches the server network interface 64 with substantially no reductionin signal strength. The downstream CATV signal 22 is conducted betweenthe entry port 50 and the principal port 54 p without being split. Thehigh strength of the downstream CATV signal 22 is therefore availablefor use in obtaining the multimedia content from the downstream CATVsignal 22. The multimedia content is also maintained at a high qualitywhen transferred from the server network interface 64 to the clientnetwork interfaces 66, since the server network interface 64 delivers ahigh quality network signal 78 to the client network interfaces 66 overthe in-home network 14, even when the network signals 78 are passedthrough the four-way splitter 74.

The CATV entry adapter 10 e therefore achieves the highest possiblesignal strength and quality for a passive CATV entry adapter, andenables multimedia content received from the downstream CATV signals 22to be shared to multiple subscriber devices 16 over the in-home network.The passive nature of the CATV entry adapter 10 e improves itsreliability. The relatively small number of internal components, i.e.one diplexer 92 and one four-way splitter 74, also reduces the cost ofthe adapter 10 e.

A CATV entry adapter 10 f shown in FIG. 8 uses an additional two-waysplitter 80 and has a eMTA port 52 for connecting the modem 56 and theVoIP telephone set 58, compared to the components of the entry adapter10 e (FIG. 7). The input terminal 82 of the two-way splitter 80 connectsto the entry port 50. The output terminal 84 of the splitter 80 connectsto the eMTA port 52, and the other output terminal 85 of the splitter 80connects to the low-pass terminal 88 of the diplexer 92. The downstreamand upstream CATV signals 22 and 40 are conducted between the entry port50 and both the eMTA port 52 and the principal port 54 p. Copies of thedownstream CATV signal 22 reach both the eMTA port 52 and the principalport 54 p after having been split only once by the two-way splitter 80.The downstream CATV signals 22 reaching both the eMTA port 52 and theprincipal port 54 p have a relatively high signal strength, since onlyone split of the downstream CATV signal 22 has occurred. Consequently,the entry adapter 10 f delivers high quality downstream CATV signals 22to both the modem 56 and connected VOIP telephone set 58 and to theserver network interface 64.

The advantage to the CATV entry adapter 10 f is that it providesreliable telephone service through the eMTA port 52, which is notdependent upon the functionality of the network interfaces 64 and 66.Accordingly, reliable telephone service is available. In addition, theentry adapter 10 f reliably communicates the content of the downstreamCATV signals 22, because the single signal split from the splitter 80does not diminish the quality of the downstream CATV signal 22sufficiently to adversely affect the performance of the server networkinterface 64 in obtaining the CATV content. That high-quality content ispreserved when it is communicated as network signals 78 from the servernetwork interface 64 to the client interface devices 66 which areconnected to the subscriber devices 16. Other than a slight reduction insignal strength created by the splitter 80, the communication of thedownstream CATV signals 22 containing multimedia content for thesubscriber devices 16 is essentially the same as that described inconnection with the CATV entry adapter 10 e (FIG. 7).

The CATV entry adapters described within offer numerous advantages overother presently-known CATV entry adapters. Each of the CATV entryadapters is capable of supplying multimedia content from the CATVnetwork to any of the subscriber devices connected to the adapter,either through direct communication of the downstream CATV signal 22 orby use of the network signals 78. Each of the CATV entry adapters alsofunctions as a hub for the in-home network 14. Each of the CATV entryadapters is constructed with passive components and therefore do notrequire an external power supply beyond the CATV signals 22 and 40 andthe network signals 78, thus both improving the reliability of theadapters themselves and reducing service calls. Each CATV entry adapterachieves a substantial strength of the downstream CATV signal 22 bylimiting the number of times that the downstream signal 22 is split,compared to conventional CATV entry adapters which require a signalsplit for each subscriber device in the premises. Criticalcommunications over the CATV network, such as life-line phone service,is preserved by CATV signals communicated over the CATV network toensure such critical communications are not adversely affected bymultiple splits of the CATV signal. The CATV entry adapter alsominimizes the risks of malfunction or failure for which the CATV serviceprovider is responsible.

These and other benefits and advantages will become more apparent upongaining a complete appreciation for the improvements of the presentinvention. Preferred embodiments of the invention and many of itsimprovements have been described with a degree of particularity. Thedescription is of preferred examples for implementing the invention, andthese preferred descriptions are not intended necessarily to limit thescope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by thefollowing claims.

1-2. (canceled)
 3. An entry device for communicating external network signals between an in-home network and an external network, for communicating in-home network signals within the in-home network, and for preventing the in-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home network to the external network, the entry device comprising: an input port configured to communicate the external network signals with the external network; a first network port configured to be coupled to a server network interface of the in-home network; a plurality of second network ports each configured to be coupled to a client network interface of the in-home network; a first splitter electrically connected the input port and having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first network port is in communication with the second leg; a second splitter in communication with the first leg of the first splitter, and having a plurality of output legs each being electrically connected to respective second network ports of the plurality of second network ports; and a signal blocking and communication device in communication with the first splitter, the second splitter, the first network port, and the plurality of second network ports, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to: block the in-home network signals from transmission from the first network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the first network port to the input port, by blocking substantially all signals having a frequency above a cutoff frequency from reaching the input port from the first network port, and allowing substantially all signals having a frequency below the cutoff frequency to reach the input port from the first network port, wherein the in-home network signals all have a frequency above the cutoff frequency, and wherein the external network signals all have a frequency below the cutoff frequency; block the in-home network signals from transmission from the plurality of second network ports to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the plurality of second network ports to the input port, by blocking substantially all signals having a frequency above the cutoff frequency from reaching the input port from the plurality of second network ports, and allowing substantially all signals having a frequency below the cutoff frequency to reach the input port from the plurality of second network ports; and transmit only the in-home network signals between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports without routing the in-home network signals through the first splitter based on the in-home network signals all having a frequency that is above the cutoff frequency, wherein the external network signals comprise cable television signals that all have a frequency of between about 5 MHz and about 1002 MHz, and wherein the in-home network signals comprise Multimedia Over Coaxial Alliance signals that all have a frequency of between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz.
 4. The entry device of claim 3, wherein the signal blocking and communication device comprises: a first diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with the first leg of the first splitter, a high-pass terminal, and a common terminal in communication with the second splitter, such that the second splitter is in communication with the first leg of the first splitter via the first diplexer, wherein the first diplexer is configured to transmit only the external network signals between the common terminal and the low-pass terminal, and to transmit only the in-home network signals between the common terminal and the high-pass terminal; and a second diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with the second leg of the first splitter, a high-pass terminal directly electrically connected to the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer, and a common terminal in communication with the first network port such that the first network port is in communication with the first splitter via the second diplexer, wherein the second diplexer is configured to transmit only the in-home network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, and to transmit only the external network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the low-pass terminal of the second diplexer, wherein the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals with the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, such that the signal blocking and communication device is configured to communicate the in-home network signals between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports via the first and second diplexers, and wherein the low-pass terminal of the first diplexer is not directly connected to the low-pass terminal of the second diplexer, such that the first and second diplexers do not permit the external network signals to be communicated between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports without transmission through the first splitter.
 5. An entry device for communicating external network signals between an in-home network and an external network, for communicating in-home network signals within the in-home network, and for preventing the in-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home network to the external network, the entry device comprising: an input port configured to communicate the external network signals with the external network; a first network port configured to be coupled to a server network interface of the in-home network; a second network port configured to be coupled to server network interface of the in-home network; and a signal blocking and communication device in communication with the input port, the first network port, and the second network port, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to: transmit the external network signals bidirectionally between the input port and the first network port; block the in-home network signals from transmission from the first network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the first network port to the input port; block the in-home network signals from transmission from the second network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the second network port to the input port; and transmit the in-home network signals between the first network port and the second network port.
 6. The entry device of claim 5 wherein the signal blocking and communication device comprises: a filter electrically connected to the input port, wherein the filter is configured to pass signals having a frequency below a cutoff frequency and to block signals having a frequency above the cutoff frequency; and a first directional coupler in communication with the first network port and the filter, such that the first network port communicates with the filter via the first directional coupler, wherein the first directional coupler is configured to attenuate the in-home network signals that are transmitted from the first network port to the filter.
 7. The entry device of claim 6, wherein the signal blocking and communication device further comprises a second directional coupler configured to attenuate a strength of the in-home network signals that are transmitted from the second network port to the filter.
 8. The entry device of claim 5, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to block the in-home network signals from transmission from the first network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the first network port to the input port, by blocking substantially all signals having a frequency above a cutoff frequency from reaching the input port from the first network port, and allowing substantially all signals having a frequency below the cutoff frequency to reach the input port from the first network port, wherein the in-home network signals all have a frequency above the cutoff frequency, and wherein the external network signals all have a frequency below the cutoff frequency.
 9. The entry device of claim 8, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to block the in-home network signals from transmission from the second network port to the input port, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the second network port to the input port, by blocking substantially all signals having a frequency above the cutoff frequency from reaching the input port from the second network port, and allowing substantially all signals having a frequency below the cutoff frequency to reach the input port from the second network port.
 10. The entry device of claim 9, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is further configured to block the external network signals from transmission from the input port to the second network port by blocking substantially all signals having a frequency above the cutoff frequency from transmission from the input port to the second network port.
 11. The entry device of claim 5, wherein the external network signals are in an external network signal frequency band and not in an in-home network signal frequency band, and wherein the in-home network signals are in the in-home network signal frequency band and not in the external signal frequency band.
 12. The entry device of claim 11, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to block the in-home network signals from transmission to the input port based on the in-home network signals being in the in-home network signal frequency band and not in the external network signal frequency band, the external network signals all having frequencies in the external network frequency band.
 13. The entry device of claim 12, wherein the in-home network signal frequency band is between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz, and wherein the external network frequency band is between about 5 MHz and about 1002 MHz.
 14. The entry device of claim 12, wherein the signal blocking and communication device comprises a low-pass filter, wherein the low-pass filter is configured to pass the external network signals to or from the input port, and block the in-home network signals from proceeding to the input port.
 15. The entry device of claim 5, further comprising a splitter in communication with the input port, wherein the second network port comprises a plurality of second network ports, wherein the signal blocking and communication device is configured to allow transmission of in-home network signals between the plurality of second network ports.
 16. The entry device of claim 5, wherein the signal blocking and communication device comprises a first diplexer configured to separate the external network signals from the in-home network signals based on frequencies thereof.
 17. The entry device of claim 5, further comprising: a first splitter electrically connected to the input port and having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first network port is in communication with the first leg; and a second splitter electrically connected to the second leg of the first splitter, and having a plurality of output legs, wherein the second network port comprises a plurality of second network ports, the plurality of output legs each being electrically connected to respective second network ports of the plurality of second network ports.
 18. The entry device of claim 17, wherein the signal blocking and communication device comprises: a first diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with the second leg of the first splitter, a high-pass terminal, and a common terminal in communication with the second splitter, such that the second splitter is in communication with the first leg of the first splitter via the first diplexer, wherein the first diplexer is configured to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal and the high-pass terminal, and to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal and the high-pass terminal; and a second diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with the second leg of the first splitter, a high-pass terminal electrically connected to the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer, and a common terminal in communication with the first network port such that the first network port is in communication with the first splitter via the second diplexer, wherein the second diplexer is configured to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, and to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer.
 19. The entry device of claim 18, wherein the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals with the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, such that the signal blocking and communication device is configured to communicate the in-home network signals between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports via the first and second diplexers.
 20. The entry device of claim 19, wherein the high-pass terminals of the first and second diplexers are directly electrically connected together without any intervening devices therebetween.
 21. The entry device of claim 19, wherein the signal blocking and transmission device is configured to transmit the in-home network signals between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports without transmitting the in-home network signals through the first splitter.
 22. The entry device of claim 18, wherein the low-pass terminal of the first diplexer is not electrically connected to the low-pass terminal of the second diplexer, such that the first and second diplexers do not permit the external network signals to be communicated between the first network port and the plurality of second network ports via the first and second diplexers without transmitting the external network signals through the first splitter.
 23. The entry device of claim 18, further comprising at least one signal conditioning device electrically connected between the low-pass terminal of the first diplexer and the first leg of the first splitter, such that the first diplexer and the first leg of the first splitter are in communication via the at least one signal conditioning device.
 24. The entry device of claim 23, wherein the signal conditioning device comprises an amplifier configured to increase a signal strength of at least some of the external network signals between the first splitter and the first diplexer.
 25. An entry device for communicating external network signals between an in-home network and an external network, for communicating in-home network signals within the in-home network, and for preventing the in-home network signals from being communicated from the in-home network to the external network, the entry device comprising: input port means for communicating the external network signals with the external network; first network port means for communicating with a server network interface of the in-home network; second network port means for communicating with a client network interface; first splitter means for splitting the external network signal received from the input port means into a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first network port means receive the first signal; second splitter means for receiving the second signal, splitting the second signal into a plurality of signals and transmitting the plurality of signals to the second network port means, and for communicating in-home network signals between the second network port means; and signal blocking and communication means for transmitting the external network signals bidirectionally between the input port means and the first network port means, blocking the in-home network signals from transmission from the first network port means to the input port means, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the first network port means to the input port means, blocking the in-home network signals from transmission from the second network port means to the input port means, while allowing the external network signals to be transmitted from the second network port means to the input port means, and transmitting the in-home network signals between the first network port means and the second network port means.
 26. The entry device of claim 25, wherein the signal blocking and communication means comprise: a first diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with a first leg of the first splitter means, a high-pass terminal, and a common terminal in communication with the second splitter means, such that the second splitter means is in communication with the first leg of the first splitter means via the first diplexer, wherein the first diplexer is configured to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal and the high-pass terminal, and to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal and the high-pass terminal; a second diplexer having a low-pass terminal in communication with a second leg of the first splitter means, a high-pass terminal in communication with the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer, and a common terminal in communication with the first network port means such that the first network port means is in communication with the first splitter means via the second diplexer, wherein the first diplexer is configured to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, and to transmit the in-home network signals between the common terminal of the second diplexer and the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer; and wherein the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals with the high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, such that the signal blocking and communication means is configured to communicate the in-home network signals between the first network port means and the second network port means via the first and second diplexers.
 27. The entry device of claim 26, further comprising at least one signal conditioning means for increasing a strength of at least some of the external network signals between the low-pass terminal of the first diplexer and the second leg of the first splitter means.
 28. The entry device of claim 26, wherein the signal blocking and communication means comprises: filter means for blocking signals having a frequency above a cutoff frequency and passing signals having a frequency below the cutoff frequency, wherein the in-home network signals all have a frequency above the cutoff frequency, and wherein the external network signals all have a frequency below the cutoff frequency, wherein the filter means are electrically connected to the input port means; first means for attenuating the in-home network signals transmitted from the first network port means toward the filter means by directing at least a portion of the in-home network signals transmitted from the first network port means toward the second network port means, wherein the filter means is electrically between the input port means and the first means for attenuating; and second means for attenuating the in-home network signals transmitted from the second network port means toward the filter means by directing at least a portion of the in-home network signals transmitted from the second network port means toward the first network port means, wherein the filter means are electrically between the input port means and the second means for attenuating.
 29. The entry device of claim 27, wherein the first means for attenuating is configured to direct at least a portion of the in-home network signals to the second means for attenuating, and wherein the second means for attenuating is configured to direct at least a portion of the in-home network signals to the first means for attenuating. 